Wine is a holiday staple, both for serving at get-togethers and gifting. Make your favorite bottles extra-special by making personalized wine labels with these suggestions from grapestompers.com How to make your own wine...

'Tis the season for decorating, and ornaments are a quick, easy-on-the-budget way to add festive color and sparkle to almost any room in the house. Available in vast quantities of nearly every color, they’re easy to get and match to your decor. Here are ten ways to use ornaments beyond the Christmas tree. On the mantle Above the fireplace is a great place to add more decor. Save the trimmings from your Christmas tree or get some from the seller and nestle ornaments in the branches and add lights for more sparkle. Variations on a color or shape add interest. In bowls Heap ornaments in a bowl for instant festivity. As gift tags Write the recipient’s name on a matte ornament or simply tie one to the gift for an extra gift and...

Silhouette portraits make great personal gifts for parents and pet owners alike. Follow this simple tutorial to create a silhouette and print it on the paper of your choice. Add a mat and frame and give a gift everyone is sure to love. Materials Digital photo* Computer Photoshop (or similar software) High-quality paper** Procedure Follow this SitePoint tutorial * Photos with simple, solid colored backgrounds are easiest to use. If taking a photo to use, try to use a blank wall as your backdrop. ** For the best results, use a photo printer with archival-quality paper or have your silhouette professionally printed by a photo printing...

When it comes to photo greeting cards, some are definitely better than others. Follow our pro tips to take this year’s family Christmas card from awkward to awesome. Plan ahead. The pros go into every photo shoot with a plan, and you should, too. Scout your location ahead of time, think of a few poses to try, and mentally place everyone and everything that’s going in your photo. You’ll get better results and save time in the long run. Coordinate your outfits, but don’t match. Forcing all of your family members into matching outfits isn’t winning you any extra points with Santa, and it’s not doing much for your greeting cards, either. Picking a theme and letting your relatives pick their own outfits will not only make for a more visually interesting...

Last month we showed you some great ways to repurpose jars. This month, we’re sticking with the glassware since our recycling bin runneth over -- hey, 'tis the season! Flavored Oils As the gift-giving season sneaks up on us, it’s time to make some homemade delights for the foodie in our lives, and maybe ourselves. Any glass bottle can be reused; put the goods and oil in a clean bottle, cap it, and give it. Be sure to do your research and follow any recipe directions to ensure safety. Some infusions (like garlic) can lead to botulism; garlic must be cooked in the oil and removed before storage. Flavored Liquors Want some vanilla vodka? How about plain ol’ vanilla extract? Bottles are a great way to store, transport, and...